Pat Craig

First post:
Feb 26, 2018 Latest post:
1 hour ago

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting. Mom's journey officially began in late January 2018 when Daddy noticed some symptoms he thought might be a mini stroke or TIA and took her to their primary care physician (PCP). An MRI of the brain was ordered and a tumor was found in her left temporal lobe. Her PCP connected her with an oncologist and neurosurgeon and she was immediately admitted to Baylor Scott & White - Grapevine and placed on high doses of IV steroids for several days prior to neurosurgery on January 30 to resect the tumor. The goal of the steroids was to reduce swelling in and around the area of the tumor to allow for a better surgical outcome. The tumor measured 3.6 cm at the time of the initial MRI. The neurosurgeon told us that the intra-operative pathology report revealed the tumor was malignant and on February 2, we received her official diagnosis --Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). GBM is a type of brain cancer. It's extremely aggressive, and is similar to a plant with roots, it grows into adjacent areas of the brain from the main tumor via its 'root system' and creates its own blood supply. Despite GBM being the most common malignant brain tumor among adults, there is no cure. There are treatments to help ease symptoms. Pat's son-in-law (a physician - general surgeon / emergency medicine) began immediate research seeking clinical trials for her. We brought her to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for evaluation with the hope of getting her into one of their many GBM trials. Her new MD Anderson oncologist ordered a post-operative MRI to determine the status of the tumor following the resection done at Baylor Grapevine. The results of the MRI showed inadequate resection of the tumor and additional growth into more of her brain. The tumor was 4.6 cm despite her previous surgery. These devastating results have made participation in a clinical trial (at this stage) impossible. We now have a new neurosurgeon and radiation oncologist in addition to our oncologist and are pleased thus far with our MD Anderson medical team.